Latest news with #LizStephens
National Post
6 days ago
- National Post
13-year-old dies in a house fire two weeks after beating cancer
A teenager who died in a house fire in Missouri two weeks after beating cancer has left the family and local fire authorities 'heartbroken.' Article content The incident took place in the early hours of July 4 and, investigation suggests, appears to be related to fireworks. 'Division of Fire Safety is currently investigating five fires in which fireworks are suspected and in which three people have died,' the authorities said, confirming 'a 13-year-old girl died in the fire' in Buckner, Jackson County. Article content Article content Article content 'A second person later succumbed to his injuries. At least one other remains hospitalized,' the statement reads. Article content Article content Multiple news outlets in the U.S. identified the 13-year-old victim as Jerilynn Brown. The teen had been battling osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, for two years and was reportedly discharged from Children's Mercy Hospital late last month. Article content 'She just rang the bell,' Jerilynn's father Jerry Brown told KMBC. 'And a month later, here we are, and I'm talking about my baby girl.' Jerilynn's mother, Liz Stephens, is in the hospital and fighting for her life due to injuries sustained in the house fire, Jerilynn's stepfather Stephen Miller said. Article content 'Jerrilynn was a bright, brave, and beautiful soul who had just overcome a long battle with cancer only two weeks prior,' reads a GoFundMe set up for the family. 'Her strength and spirit touched everyone who knew her. To have her taken so suddenly after all she had endured is beyond heartbreaking.' The campaign, with a goal of US$11,000, aims to raise funds for the family to cover funeral and medical expenses. Article content Article content 'To see a young girl who just beat cancer to have to have it end like this. I'm speaking on all of our folks our heart goes out and we are all very upset about this as well,' Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker told Fox 4. Article content Article content Authorities said the fire originated on the covered back deck at the residence. Walker also said the smoke alarms inside the home weren't working. 'While they don't extinguish fires they do alert you in early stages of fires to let you get out and stay out and they do save lives,' Walker said, Fox 4 reports. Article content
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Girl, 13, who survived cancer dies in Missouri house fire
A 13-year-old girl who celebrated beating cancer just two weeks ago has died in a house fire. Jerilynn Brown had been diagnosed with bone cancer and left hospital in Missouri in June. The blaze broke out in a farmhouse in Independence, Kansas City, also injuring Jerilynn's mother Liz Stephens, who is in a critical condition. A firefighter was also hurt after falling two stories and suffered smoke inhalation when his mask came loose. He has since been treated and released from the hospital, local ABC outlet WCVB reports. Fire crews responded to the two-story farmhouse early on Friday morning. When they arrived at the scene, plumes of smoke and heavy fires had engulfed the home. It was only when officials managed to extinguish the fire that they found Jerilynn. Her father, Jerry Brown, revealed to KSHB that his daughter had been battling osteosarcoma and left the Children's Mercy Hospital in late June. He said Jerilynn had grown very close to the doctors and nurses: 'She made them presents. Every nurse a present. 'Every nurse and doctor signed this heart she made. She made it with her love while she was fighting cancer because she is a great person.' Stephens remains in the hospital 'fighting for her life due to injuries sustained in the fire,' her family said. Jerilynn's stepfather, Stephen Miller, spoke of his grief to ABC6: 'She just rang the bell and a month later, here we are, and I'm talking about my baby girl. 'I mean, she just got me to go to church, and I quit drinking. 17 months. All that is because of her. "Rang the bell at Children's Mercy, two weeks ago, and was cancer-free, and unfortunately, today, she's no longer with us, she's free.' A GoFundMe fundraiser has raised over $6,000 for Jerilynn's funeral costs and her mother's ongoing medical care. 'Jerrilynn was a bright, brave, and beautiful soul who had just overcome a long battle with cancer only two weeks prior. Her strength and spirit touched everyone who knew her. To have her taken so suddenly after all she had endured is beyond heartbreaking,' her family said in the fundraiser. The Independence Fire Department and Missouri State Fire Marshal are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.
